Annapolis won’t bid for Volvo Ocean Race stop

ANNAPOLIS — Annapolis officials say they won’t be bidding to host a stopover for the next Volvo Ocean Race, saying it will be too expensive.

Mayor Josh Cohen tells The Capital of Annapolis that the city was approached early last year about bidding for the U.S. stop for the 2014-15 race. But he says the city decided against bidding because of new fees and obligations that would cost millions.

The global sailing event has been called the “Super Bowl of Sailing.” Baltimore and Annapolis jointly hosted three stopovers beginning in 1997-98 when the event was known as the Whitbread Round the World Race. The last was in 2004-05. Baltimore is still bidding for the next race.